DPWH employee collared in drug bust

Thursday 12th of July 2012

MANILA, July 12 -- A utility worker from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was arrested in Puerto Princesa City after selling methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” to a poseur buyer.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. identified the suspect as a 45-year-old casual employee of DPWH and a resident of Barangay New Barbacan, Roxas in Palawan, a press statement from the PDEA said.

PDEA said that on July 6 at about 8 p.m., the suspect agreed to meet with the poseur buyer along Rizal Avenue, Barangay Model in Puerto Princesa City to facilitate sale of shabu.

Upon the pre-arranged signal, combined PDEA Regional Office 4B (PDEA-4B) under Director Lyndon Aspacio and the deputized anti-illegal drugs unit of the local police arrested the suspect, PDEA said.

The suspect yielded two plastic sachets containing shabu together with assorted drug paraphernalia and a cellular phone which he used for his illegal drug transactions.

“This is not the first time that the suspect was apprehended by authorities for his involvement in illegal drug activities. The suspect is included in PDEA’s list of drug personalities in Palawan. Records reveal that he had been arrested five times before in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000 for violation of the old anti-drug law, Republic Act No. 6425 and once for violating Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, before he was arrested again last Friday,” Gutierrez said, adding that three cases against him were dismissed due to technicalities and he paid bail for his temporary release in three other cases.

Gutierrez said the suspect is an alleged member of the Commando Brotherhood, a notorious group operating in Puerto Princesa City and the Municipality of Roxas.

Charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165, have been filed in court against the suspect, in addition to other drug cases previously filed against him. (PDEA)